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A Very Long Engagement | 
| Director: Jean-pierre Jeunet
Actors: Jean-claude Dreyfus, Andre Dussollier, Ticky Holgado, Tcheky Karyo, Denis Lavant
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: CDN$ 18.70
Buy New: CDN$ 9.99
You Save: CDN$ 8.71 (47%)
New (18) Used (7) from CDN$ 6.00
Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 3047
Format: Ntsc, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: French (Original Language), German (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: WARD38972D
ISBN: 0790795590
UPC: 085393897222
EAN: 9780790795591
ASIN: B0007Z0NYQ
Theatrical Release Date: 2004
Release Date: July 12, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Editorial Reviews:
From Amazon.com
Both epic and intimate, IA Very Long Engagement/I reunites Audrey Tautou and Jean-Pierre Jeunet, the star and director of the hugely popular IAmelie/I. A young woman named Mathilde (Tautou, IHappenstance/I)separated from her lover by World War I refuses to believe he's been killed and launches an investigation into his fate--an investigation that spins in all directions, creating dozens of miniature stories (including that of an Italian prostitute avenging the death of her own lover by elaborate means) that shift to and fro in time. The dazzling curlicues of narrative put brutality and tenderness back to back, shifting between crushing inevitabilities and miraculous rescues with deft storytelling skill and the lush visual style of the director of IDelicatessen/I and IThe City of Lost Children/I. Through it all, Tautou--fierce and luminous--anchors the movie effortlessly. She's among the most emotionally engaging actresses in cinema, with the kind of expressive beauty that transcends language. A gorgeous, far-reaching film; the huge cast also includes Jodie Foster (IThe Silence of the Lambs/I), Gaspard Ulliel (IStrayed/I), and Dominique Pinon (IAlien: Resurrection/I). I--Bret Fetzer/I
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| Customer Reviews:
 And Each Slow Dusk a Drawing-Down of Blinds April 4, 2008
Kasey Driscoll (Raynham, MA United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The 2004 Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Amelie, The City of Lost Children, Delicatessen) film A Very Long Engagement (Un long dimanche de fiancailles) is one of those rare movies I'm urged to consume myself with annually. In fact it was my favorite film of that year and Jeunet, were it not for the terrible Alien: Resurrection, has a nearly flawless list of films he has directed, at least in my opinion. Here, Jeunet once again gets to work with the quirky, lovable, and brilliant Audrey Tautou, who were it not for her humble choice of roles outside of the Da Vinci Code, would probably be a Hollywood icon. They clearly compliment each other, as in A Very Long Engagement Jeunet recaptures everything that makes Tautou so wonderful in Amelie. But that's not all. Jeunet has an outstanding international ensemble in this movie. Jeunet regular Dominique Pinon is back once again. 2007 Oscar winner Marion Cotillard (La Mome a.k.a. La Vie en rose) is absolutely perfect as the tragic anti-hero and clever revenge connoisseur, Tina Lombardi. Gaspard Ulliel, who plays the infamous title character in 2007's Hannibal Rising, co-stars opposite Tautou, and is as equally engaging for his pure boyish innocence in the role. Even Jodie Foster appears in a supporting role and is as compelling as ever. On the technical side Bruno Delbonnel (unquestionably among the best cinematographers in the world) collaborates again with Jeunet to make a great story also a visually dazzling film. Frequent David Lynch collaborator Angelo Badalamenti scores the film effectively as well. But enough about who made the movie. br / br /A Very Long Engagement follows Mathilde (Tautou), an orphan partially paralyzed from polio, as she undertakes a desperate journey to find her fiance, a French soldier in World War I named Manech (Ulliel). Their love for one another is portrayed as remarkably profound and that really is what this movie is built on. Jeunet has a unique way of introducing characters to us. He makes it almost impossible to not relate in some way to them. The characters in his films are far more charming than most, especially here. Manech was one of five soldiers convicted of self-mutilation. He did this so he would no longer have to serve. All five soldiers faced a death sentence by being forced to enter No Man's Land between the French and German trenches. All are assumed to have not survived but Mathilde's faith in Manech's survival cannot be shaken. A Very Long Engagement is seen through the perspective of both primary characters, but mostly focuses on Mathilde. I won't give away the end but suffice to say it is among the most beautiful bittersweet movie moments in many years. br / br /In such a passionate story that never loses my attention I sometimes forget how amazing this film is visually. You can plainly see that Jeunet is delighted to tell his story with a big budget, and believe me he uses it wisely. The war scenes do not for one second turn away. Even with all I've heard, read about, or seen visual interpretations of; nothing could prepare me for Jeunet's seemingly spot-on depiction of World War I trench warfare brutality. What's amazing is he contrasts these fragmented horrific visuals with mostly gorgeous countryside shots of north western France and gazing shots of the beautiful and delicate Mathilde. Seems so appropriate, as the world I see today might need these contrasts as a reminder of how very beautiful life has the potential to be. A Very Long Engagement to me is the total package. It really is what movies should be about and I very highly recommend it to anyone.
 Powerful film about love and its power April 5, 2006
Saw this at a local film festival. Just about walked out because of the violence of the first ten minutes, but very glad I stayed. No question, the war scenes are very violent (so was Cold Mountain, for that matter) but the story is beautifully told and the cinematography is gorgeous. Discovering Jodie Foster was a surprise, but as usual she shines in every scene she's in. br / Very, very powerful film, and glad I was able to see it.
Never let go. February 18, 2006
Olivier Campeau (Montreal, Quebec)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Ok i'm not a fan of love stories or romantic movies but this film is absolutly gorgeous in every way. The landscape is breathtaking, so is Audrey Tautou. Great actors, great story, Jean-pierre jeunet knows how to catch viewers attention. This movie is filled with emotions and true values. The characters are all interconnected to eachother, which makes the acting almost flawless. A must see for those who still believe in hope safe places.
To never give up December 18, 2004
E. A Solinas (MD USA)
Sure, the name is an open target for dumb jokes. But Sebastien Japrisot's haunting romance "A Very Long Engagement" translates well onto the big screen, with a bit of help from "Amelie" director Jean-Pierre Jeunet and the wonderful Audrey Tautou. br / br /Mathilde (Audrey Tautou) is a pretty young girl who was left crippled by polio, and is being raised by her uncle and aunt. Before World War I, she fell in love with a boy called Manech (Gaspard Ulliel), but he was sent to the war and killed. Three years later, Mathilde gets a mysterious letter with shocking news: Manech was not killed in action, but condemned to death by being sent unarmed to the front lines -- and miraculously, he might still be alive. br / br /Mathilde is determined to find her lover -- dead or alive -- and learn what really happened on that day three years ago. So she puts out ads in the papers, gathers accounts, and hires a detective to follow the cold trail. And slowly the gaps in the stories emerge, giving Mathilde clues to whether Manech died... and where he might be now. br / br /"A Very Long Engagement" (French title: "Un Long Dimanche de Fiancailles") diddles a few details from the novel, but is faithful to it in the ways that matter -- the "MMM" inscriptions, the non-linear storytelling, the horrors of World War I. In some ways, it seems almost impossible to transfer onto film without creating a pretentious mess -- but it wasn't. br / br /Jean-Pierre Jeunet proves that "Amelie" was no fluke, but this time he relies mostly on visual artistry, rather than in magical realism. He also reminds us, by displaying the French countryside along with flashbacks of the front lines, that war is stupid and wasteful. But it's not an obvious, slam-in-your-face reminder. Like the romance, it's delicate and wistful. br / br /The only problem with "A Very Long Engagement" is the "long" part -- it's truly exquisite, but it does drag a bit. Since it can be summed up as "girl searches for her seemingly dead lover," there are only a few twists along the way. But the beautiful visuals may make up for that in part. The cinematography by Bruno Delbonnel is particularly striking, tinted in sepia or black and white. The entire movie has the feeling of an old photograph brought to life. br / br /The love between Manech and Mathilde is not a grand passion, but it is a very real love -- it's not implausible to believe that two such people might have existed. Tautou is sweetly elfin as Mathilde, creating a likable heroine that it's impossible not to root for. Ulliel gives an equally good performance as the boyish, naive Manech, a perfect match for Mathilde. br / br /"A Very Long Engagement" is a truly beautiful follow-up to the magical "Amelie" -- a war story, a love story, and a mystery all in one. Enchanting.
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